ADHD Support for Kids
Being a kid is tough. We’re here to help.
W E L C O M E T O L I T T L E O T T E R
When you join Little Otter, you join as a family. From therapy for kids 0-14, to parent support, to psychiatric services, experience a comprehensive, personalized approach to online mental health care.
“The important thing to know about ADHD is that we can easily identify it, and provide care and treatment early enough to make a difference for the rest of a child’s life.”
Helen Egger, MD
Co-Founder and Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Little Otter
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ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
As you might guess, this term describes to a difficulty with attention, focus, hyperactivity, and/or working memory. Kids living with ADHD tend to be physically active (or “squirmy”), fidgety, impulsive, impatient, and/or full of energy. A child living with ADHD might seem daydreamy, forgetful - and bouncy!
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If you’re wondering if your little one has ADHD, here are some things to look out for:
They have trouble waiting their turn.
They seem to always be fidgeting or wiggling.
They tend to interrupt other people or have trouble focusing on others.
If they’re older, they might be easily upset. A younger child might have tantrums.
Finishing tasks and activities are difficult for them because they get distracted.
Their things aren’t organized, or they struggle to get organized.
They seem daydreamy or unfocused.
They struggle to play quietly or relax.
They try to avoid doing tasks that could take more mental energy, like homework.
They make “simple” or “avoidable” mistakes or struggle to follow instructions.
They seem to forget things easily.
They appear to lack self-control or self-management skills.
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Medications are a trustworthy first-line treatment, and are always considered in children age 6+ diagnosed with ADHD.
Every treatment plan is unique, but know that both therapy and medications are available.
In Little Otter therapy sessions, kids and caregivers work together to understand how ADHD is impacting their lives. The therapist will work with your family to identify tactics and tools that can help you navigate those challenging situations, and they’ll keep working with you to make sure you feel supported.
In many cases, medication can be prescribed to help kids manage their emotions and control themselves better. We use the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines in our approach to treatment, and they recommend medications being considered when the diagnosis is made.
If you decide to seek additional help with Little Otter, our mental health providers will evaluate ADHD in the context of your family to design a Care Plan that helps your whole family thrive. We can and do provide support with ADHD medication management, too!
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ADHD is diagnosed at twice the rate in boys as compared to girls. Girls tend to have less hyperactive symptoms and more inattentive symptoms which can be more difficult to detect. This leads to a significant under diagnosis of ADHD in girls.
Commonly Asked Questions About ADHD
Dr. Helen Egger, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer
“There is no health without mental health.”
Dr. Helen Egger is the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer at Little Otter. She has been in the field of child mental health for more than 30 years. She is a pediatric doctor, early childhood mental health expert, digital health expert, and prolific scientist. And, she is a mother of four
Dr. Helen Egger was previously the Division Chief for Child Psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine and Department Chair and Director of NYU Langone Health Child Study Center.